Water for Production Regional Centre - Karamoja

Water for Production Regional Centre - Karamoja

Who We Are

The Ministry of Water and Environment established the Water for Production Regional Centre – Karamoja(WfPRC-K) as a service delivery and funding mechanism to focus on planning, development and provision of Water for Production services in the Karamoja sub-region. The regional centre commenced operations in the financial year 2024/2025. 

Objectives

• To increase provision of water for production through development of multi-purpose bulk water storage and supply systems with the involvement of all stakeholders as appropriate.
• To increase the functionality of water for production facilities.
• To increase the area under formal irrigation in Karamoja sub-region

The Water for Production Regional Centre – Karamoja is mandated to develop cost effective and sustainable water system to improve the quality of life and livelihoods of the population through provision of water for productive use in irrigation, livestock, domestic, aquaculture and rural industry. 

The project covers the nine (9) districts of Karamoja; Kaabong, Karenga, Kotido, Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk, Amudat and Abim.

What We Do

● Construction of valley tanks to increase access to water for productive use

● Support the development of water infrastructure for irrigation and bulk water supply

● Water source protection

● Provide support to use, operation, maintenance and management of completed water for production (WfP) facilities.

● Provide technical support to District Local Governments (DLGs), farmers, institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) 

Our Focus Areas:

▪ Development of strategic multipurpose water storage reservoirs and bulk water transfer systems

▪ Construction of medium-scale irrigation systems

▪ Sustainable management of water for production facilities

▪ Water source protection 

Achievements

▪ Completed rehabilitation of five (5) multipurpose dams in Karamoja namely, Arechek dam in Napak, Kawomeri in Abim, Longoromit dam in Kaabong, Kobebe in Moroto

▪ Completed construction of one (1) production well in Abim district

▪ Completed the construction of four (4) production wells under the Karamoja Drought Resilience (KDR) project 

Ongoing projects

▪ Construction of six (6) 20,000 m³ capacity valley tanks under the KDR project

▪ Construction of Tirikol valley tank in Nabilatuk district

▪ Rehabilitation of three (3) valley tanks to restore functionality.

▪ Rehabilitation of three (3) small-scale irrigation systems namely, Arechek in Napak, Puno and Akado Kulo in Abim.

▪ Feasibility studies for two (2) earth dams in Kotidodistrict

▪ Feasibility studies for two (2) medium-scale irrigation schemes in Karenga and Amudat 

Challenges

▪ High demand coupled with funding constraints

▪ The security situation remains volatile despite improvements. Vandalism is widespread and leads to high maintenance costs.

▪ Climate change leads to prolonged droughts thus affecting recharge of water resources. 

Outlook

The regional centre is engaging the various district local governments and actors in the region to enhance sustainable development and management of WfP facilities. This is being done through fora such as WASH coordination meetings hosted by the DLGs and Water and Environment Week activities.